November, 2013

It’s a fee: California cap and trade passes legal challenge

California’s one-year-old system of auctioning off the right to emit carbon survived a pair of legal challenges this week. [SacramentoBee] Sacramento Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley rejected lawsuits filed over California’s cap and trade law, AB 32, by the California... (Continue reading)

Morro Bay pays city attorney to walk away

The city of Morro Bay will pay City Attorney Rob Schultz $163,235 to resign from his position. Mayor Jamie Irons had been pushing to fire Schultz since September, but Tuesday the city council agreed to a severance package for Schultz... (Continue reading)

Home Goods to replace SLO Office Max

Home Goods, a discount chain store that sells items for the home, is slated to replace the OfficeMax store in Irish Hills Plaza off Los Osos Valley Road. The remodeled Home Goods location is slated to open next spring. In... (Continue reading)

Cambria man sentenced to 27 years to life

A mentally ill Cambria man who stabbed his brother in the head with a screwdriver was sentenced to 27 years to life in prison on Wednesday. A jury found Brandon Henslee, 23, guilty of murdering his brother Tyler Hanks, 20,... (Continue reading)

NRC fails to apply standard earthquake protocols to Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant

STATEMENT By UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is not holding the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant in California to the same standards it requires of every other nuclear facility to address potential earthquake hazards, according to a report... (Continue reading)

Oceano CSD considering 30-year loan to itself

The Oceano Community Services District Board of Directors will consider issuing itself a 30-year loan Wednesday to back-fill expenses in its general fund. The Oceano general fund has already leant nearly $800,000 to the district water fund to cover its... (Continue reading)

Morro Bay moves forward on terminating city attorney and manager

The Morro Bay City Council voted unanimously Tuesday evening to approve a severance agreement with city attorney Robert Schultz and 3-2 to begin negotiations to oust city manager Andrea Lueker. Mayor Jamie Irons along with council members Christine Johnson and... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande council appoints Barneich

The Arroyo Grande City Council voted unanimously Tuesday evening  to appoint Kristen Barneich as its fifth member. The life-long Arroyo Grande resident fills the spot left by Caren Ray, who resigned in October to serve on the San Luis Obispo... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo lifts vacation rental ban

The San Luis Obispo City Council voted 3-1 to allow restricted vacation rentals during a special meeting Tuesday evening. Councilman Dan Carpenter voted against the proposed ordinance that will permit homeowners to rent out rooms for 30 days or less... (Continue reading)

California GOP not attracting minorities, young voters

Despite suffering a supermajority defeat in the legislature in 2012 and losing control of the governorship two years prior, the worst years may have yet to come the California Republican Party. [LA Times] A newly released USC/Los Angeles Times poll... (Continue reading)